Eighteen-Year-Old Woman Dies After Falling From Amusement Park Ride in Mexico
The fatal incident at the Cabo San Lucas Traditional Festival has prompted an active investigation into park safety standards.
An 18-year-old woman died after falling from a swinging pendulum amusement park ride during a festival in Los Cabos, Mexico. The victim, identified as Gabriela Rodríguez Tezoco, suffered critical injuries when she fell from the attraction known as "The Pendulum" at the Cabo San Lucas Traditional Festival.
The tragic event took place on Tuesday, Oct. 20, shortly after 8:00 p.m. Emergency responders and the Mexican Red Cross administered immediate medical care at the scene before transporting Tezoco to a local hospital. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Tezoco had recently graduated from the Colegio de Bachilleres in Cabo San Lucas, where she earned an academic honor during her commencement ceremonies. Her former school shared an emotional public farewell, stating, "May your smile live on in our memory and the memory of you always be a light that accompanies us."
Municipal and state authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the accident. The General Prosecutor's Office of the State of Baja California Sur is leading the inquiry to determine how the victim became detached from her seat and whether the ride met mandatory safety and operational standards.
In response to the tragedy, Mayor Christian Agúndez Gómez of Los Cabos issued a public statement offering condolences to the grieving family. "These festivities remind us of who we are, where we come from, and what we are capable of when we are united. Today, with the same spirit with which we unite to celebrate, we must unite to support the family of Gabriela. It could have been any of us. They are not alone," Mayor Agúndez stated.
The municipal government announced that "The Pendulum" has been suspended while investigators examine the ride and other attractions at the festival grounds. Officials confirmed that the Municipality of Los Cabos will fully cooperate with prosecutors and provide necessary support to the victim's family.
Additionally, Francisco Cota Márquez, the head of municipal civil protection, was removed from his position. Local authorities stated that the leadership change aims to ensure complete transparency and grant investigators unrestricted access to all relevant documentation, particularly as civil protection personnel had reportedly inspected the festival's rides shortly before the fatal accident.